Report: Mike Bellamy returning to Illinois to coach RBs

Jeremy Werner of Illini Inquirer reported on Friday that Bellamy is expected to be named Illinois’ new running backs coach ahead of the 2019 season. He spent the last two seasons as the wide receivers coach at Toledo.

Bellamy was the wide receivers coach at Illinois from 2013-15 as a member of Tim Beckman’s and Bill Cubit’s staff. In 2016, Bellamy was not retained when Lovie Smith was hired to lead the program.

In 2012, Bellamy was the assistant director of player personnel and relations at Illinois.

After being let go by Smith before the 2016 season, Bellamy spent the 2016 at Mississippi State as a quality control analyst. His college coaching career began at Clark-Atlanta University, where he was the wide receivers and specialists coach in 2011.

Bellamy played college football at Illinois and was a second-team All-American and first-team All B1G receiver in 1989. He caught 59 passes for 927 yards and eight touchdowns. He was also an excellent return man for the Illini.

In addition to his ties to the program, both as a player and coach, Bellamy is considered an excellent recruiter.

Dustin grew up in the heart of Big Ten country and has been in sports media since 2010. He has been covering Big Ten football since 2014. You can follow him on Twitter: @SchutteCFB